ABOUT THE CASTLE

Although the Durbe Castle complex has been built since the 17th century, thanks to the plans of Count von Maedem and the work of J. G.

The restoration of Durbe Palace was completed in 2009 and the museum staff is working to restore other buildings in the complex. Durbe Palace is the only one of the former manor houses in Latvia where the late 19th and early 20th century interiors have been restored and some idea of German-Baltic culture has been created.

The ground floor of Durbe Palace has been reconstructed into the historic manor house interior, while the remaining rooms house exhibitions and displays that introduce the importance of manors in the modern Latvian cultural environment and their historical traditions.

EXHIBITIONS

Rainis and Durbes Castle

The exhibition is located in the room where the Rainis Museum existed for eight years (1929-1937), in the creation of which the poet himself participated.

The exhibition “Rainis and Durbes Castle” is designed not only to reveal the connection of a great poet with Durbes Castle and to give an insight into the creation and furnishing of the Rainis Museum, but also to encourage some understanding of the era and of a great personality. At the same time, it offers a glimpse into the history of Durbe and other manors, the fate of their owners in the first half of the 20th century, and the life of the last owners of Durbe Manor – the von der Reche family.

HAS RENEWED ITS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMME “LET’S EXPERIENCE 1905.

What happened in Tukums and Latvia in 1905? What were the causes of the revolution and how did it take place? Social democrats, secret policemen, agents – what was their role?

What was the attitude of the German-Balts towards Latvians and the revolutionary movement? What happened in the secret “forest meetings”?

For a more interesting learning of history, we apply a special method to the educational programmes at Durbe Castle – “Time Journey”, when students and teachers put themselves in the shoes of historical figures and characters to better understand the era and events.

Information and programme registration: 25721502

Christmas Time at Durbe Castle – gingerbread baking, fortune casting and festive decoration making

Offer for groups of pupils in grades 1 to 6

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the patriarchal tradition of estate owners and servants celebrating festivals together still existed. Christmas was one of those occasions when the owners of the castle, their families, friends, servants, the people of the manor and their families gathered together.

PRICES

Entrance fee

• Students – EUR 1.50
• Adults – EUR 2.50
• Preschool children and accompanying persons (up to two) – free

Guideservices

In the Museum (up to 10 persons/hour):
In Latvian: EUR 8.00
In a foreign language: EUR 15.00

In the Museum (up to 30 persons/hour):
In Latvian: EUR 12.00
In a foreign language: EUR 21.00

Photos from the Tukums Museum archives.